APA Titled Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist Jacqui Haskett MACP grew up knowing that she wanted a career that involved sport in some way. 

She played tennis at state, national and junior international level as a teenager but needed assistance from a physiotherapist when she began to experience injuries. 

‘When I was first treated by a physiotherapist, I was drawn to the idea of empowering and guiding people along their rehab journey and the challenge of working out exactly what’s going on and then returning them to performance.’ 

Throughout her career, Jacqui has sought numerous challenges and opportunities for self-improvement.

After graduating summa cum laude from California State University, she undertook a Master of Physiotherapy and then a Master of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy at the University of South Australia.

‘Many high-performance roles need a sports master’s as a prerequisite but for me it was more about growth and my willingness to learn. I think it’s great for the brain to be challenged.’ 

From the outside, Jacqui’s work schedule appears jam-packed, yet it is the variety inherent to physiotherapy that she finds so rewarding. 

As principal physiotherapist at Reform Physiotherapy and Pilates Clinic, Jacqui works with clients across every level of function. 

She spends the remainder of her time at the South Australian Sports Institute—where she supports Olympic and Paralympic athletes—working with Tennis Australia and teaching occasional Pilates courses for Unite Health on the weekends. 

She also serves as chair of the South Australian branch of the APA Sports and Exercise national group.

Working with Tennis Australia, with various state and Australian teams through the South Australian Sports Institute and with Paddle Australia has afforded Jacqui opportunities to travel across the country and internationally and to collaborate with highly accomplished colleagues. 

At the Beach Volleyball World Championships held in November in Adelaide, she worked as Australian team physiotherapist alongside James Trotter, the physiotherapy lead for the Australian Olympic team at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. 

‘I really enjoy working alongside other physiotherapists because you can learn so much by observing, listening, asking questions and bouncing ideas off each other. 

Being in a team where you hear different ideas, challenge your thinking or put yourself in some uncomfortable positions is important for self-growth.’ 

Being a part of the Sports and Exercise national group and the chair of the South Australian branch has given Jacqui the chance to open up discussions with young physiotherapists, converse with like-minded individuals and advocate for her profession—particularly for female physiotherapists in the sporting space. 

‘Gender doesn’t have any bounds. I’m the only female clinical physiotherapist at the institute. 

It is important for women to be present in the sport physio space because we are some of the strongest advocates for female athletes.’ 

Now that she has been working for over a decade, she has experienced some full-circle moments. 

‘Some of the physios that I saw when I was younger, I’m working alongside today, which is pretty special.

Throughout my career, many Adelaide-based physios, particularly Anita Bruce, Dr Mary Magarey, James Trotter, David Spurrier and Michael Heynen, have had a significant impact, not only on the profession but also on me.’ 

To emerging physiotherapists looking to pursue sports and exercise physiotherapy, Jacqui says, ‘If you have a goal, keep pushing towards it. 

Have a willingness to learn, ask questions and understand that it’s not going to come easily—otherwise everyone would do it.’

Check out the APA Sports and Exercise National group here.